Fast Forward 15 announces 2018 mentors

Fast Forward 15, the pioneering mentoring scheme for women in hospitality and events, has announced 2018’s line up of mentors.

The 15 mentors have been selected for their stance on helping to nurture and empower future female talent as well as their far-reaching knowledge and networks. The line-up comprises a broad spectrum of personalities from the business tourism sector and includes Kerrin MacPhie from Visit Britain and Hamish Reid from Dubai Business Events, while corporates are represented by Jane Culcheth-Beard from HP and Ingram Micro’s Tony McMurray.

2018’s full list comprises:

Josefine Voss – BCD Meetings & Events

John Kelly – BCD Meetings & Events

Caroline Jackson – Bournemouth University

Kate Philip – Corran Consulting Ltd

Hamish Reid – Dubai Business Events

Justine Kane – Event Academy

Andrew Winterburn – EVCOM

Mark Riches – First Agency

Andrew Mosley – Grand Brighton

Jane Culcheth-Beard – HP

Tony McMurray – Ingram Micro

Moya Maxwell – RIBA

Nick Gold – Speakers Corner

Rebecca Duncan – Virgin Atlantic Airways

Kerrin MacPhie – Visit Britain

Founded by Fay Sharpe (pictured), vice president of BCD Meetings & Events, Fast Forward 15 is now in its fourth year of developing the careers of females of the future and has already helped many mentees to fast track their professional and personal development.

Sharpe, who was recognised with a Shine Award in 2017 for founding and creating the free mentoring scheme, commented: “We’ve secured another highly talented collection of mentors for Fast Forward 15. I am immensely grateful to each of them for giving their time and knowledge on a pro bono basis and for helping to develop our next generation of leaders. I’m also hugely appreciative of Ishreen Bradley for her invaluable support in offering additional professional coaching to all our mentees alongside their mentorship.”

Andrew Mosley, general manager of the Grand Brighton and a mentor since the scheme was launched said: “Each year the competition for a place gets stronger and we’ve seen varying reasons behind mentees seeking a mentor, however the areas we focus in on remain largely the same; building confidence, encouraging empowerment and understanding how to network. The programme has proved to be a powerhouse for improving the personal and professional development of our mentees who have been through the programme.’

​​Moya Maxwell, director of venues at RIBA and a new mentor for 2018, added: “It was fantastic for RIBA to host Fay and her team in December for the launch of their insightful whitepaper looking at Women in Travel, Events and Hospitality. The research showed that these sectors still have a long way to go to achieve equal career opportunities. This year, I am honoured to be playing a part in changing the environment for talented women in the events sector by becoming a mentor to one such individual.”